Retreat center near Madison, Wisconsin
“The word retreat never seemed to fit into my life. As someone who isn’t religious, doesn’t do yoga and struggles to disconnect and slow down, the concept of just being somewhere solo never really crossed my mind. It took spending a night at Holy Wisdom Monastery, a Benedictine abbey near Madison, Wis., to realize that I had been missing out.”
–Kate Silver, The Washington Post
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Personal retreats
You are welcome to come to Holy Wisdom Monastery for a personal retreat. Our peaceful setting helps you rest and relax on your retreat so you can return home renewed and refreshed. Come for a day, an overnight or more and experience our loving Benedictine hospitality.
Retreat lodging
We offer overnight lodging in the retreat and guest house or in the two hermitages located in a peaceful wooded area. The simple rooms in the retreat & guest house feature bed, bathroom, desk and wardrobe.
For those seeking a more solitary experience, private hermitages can be reserved for 2 nights or up to 3 months, if available. The hermitages include a kitchenette, living room, bedroom, bathroom and an outdoor deck overlooking a wooded landscape.
Retreat & Guest House bedroom rates for personal retreats
| Room Type | Weekday Rate Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs. nights | Weekend Rate Fri., Sat., Sun. nights |
|---|---|---|
| One Twin Bed | $63 | $82 |
| One Double Bed | $63 | $82 |
| One Queen Bed | $73 | $99 |
| Two Twin Beds | $73 | $99 |
| One Queen Bed + One Twin Bed | $73 | $99 |
| Two Queen Bed (Lower Level RGH) | $63 | $82 |
Hermitage rates
| Number of consecutive nights of stay | Arrival/departure times | 2023 cost/night |
|---|---|---|
| All hermitage stays require a 2 night minimum stay. | Weekdays & weekends 3:00 pm or after (day of arrival) / 11:00 am or before (day of departure) | $114/weekend night $97/weekday night |
| 7+ nights | Weekdays & weekends 3:00 pm or after (day of arrival) / 11:00 am or before (day of departure) | 10% discount off above rates after 6 nights |
Meals
Lunch and dinner are available for guests (meals not open to the general public), every day of the week, in the monastery building. A light continental, self-serve breakfast is available each morning in the retreat and guest house for overnight guests. Shared meals allow you to engage in conversation with members of the community and guests from around the world. We offer buffet-style meals prepared by our chef from fresh, healthy, locally grown ingredients. The buffet line is open for 30 minutes at lunch and for dinner, please be prompt. Meals must be reserved 24 hours in advance.
Meal rates
| Meal type | Days available | Meal time | Serving location | 2023 Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental breakfast | Sunday-Saturday | Available until 11:00 am | Retreat & guest room 108 | No charge with overnight room |
| Lunch | Sunday-Saturday | 12:00-12:30 pm | Monastery community or guest dining room | $15.50/person $10/child age 12 and under |
| Dinner | Sunday-Saturday | 5:15-5:45 pm | Monastery community or guest dining room | $18.50/person $12/child age 12 and under |
Spiritual guidance
Individuals on personal retreats may want to meet with a spiritual guide while at Holy Wisdom or virtually. The spiritual guide facilitates your reflection on your life experience in relation to God, yourself, and others. There is a suggested donation of $50 for a one hour spiritual guidance session. Schedule your spiritual guidance session when you schedule your personal retreat.
Learn more about spiritual guidanceGift certificates – share the gift of a retreat
Give the gift of rest and renewal by purchasing a gift certificate for a personal retreat at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Gift certificates can be used for meals and overnight stays in the retreat & guest house and hermitages. Gift certificates are good for one year from the date of purchase.
Purchase a gift certificate
To purchase a gift certificate, contact our guest services manager at 608-836-1631, x100 or retreats@holywisdommonastery.org.
The gift certificate can either be sent via email (PDF) directly to the recipient, or to the person purchasing the gift certificate, who can then give it to the recipient directly. The person purchasing the gift certificate will be invoiced and can pay with a credit card.
Schedule your personal retreat
Reserve your personal retreat by clicking on the Personal Retreat Availability button below.
Guest services staff hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm CST. Reservations submitted over the weekend won’t be viewed until Monday. If you wish to visit within the next 48 hours, please call us at 608-836-1631, x100.
Personal retreat availabilityCome away for a personal retreat
Renew your spirit in a peaceful oasis where you can focus on what is important to you.
Reserve your personal retreat by clicking on the Personal Retreat Availability button below.
Personal Retreat AvailabilityRead about what to do
on a personal retreatAs featured in The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Minneapolis Star Tribune
For travelers, monastery stays offer peace and quiet, regardless of faithLearn more about our facilities